lawful

[law-fuhl] / ˈlɔ fəl /

ADJECTIVE

allowable, legitimate

Synonyms

STRONGEST

authorized constitutional justifiable legal permissible proper rightful statutory valid

WEAK

bona fide canonical card-carrying commanded condign decreed due enacted enforced enjoined established innocent judged judicial jural juridical jurisprudent just kosher legalized legislated legit legitimatized licit mandated of right official on the level on the up and up ordained ordered passed protected ruled vested warrantable warranted

Antonyms

STRONGEST

illegal illegitimate incorrect unacceptable wrong

WEAK

illicit prohibited taboo unlawful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Soleimani Afshar and Hosseiny had their lawful permanent resident status in the United States revoked, Rubio said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 4, 2026

Current and former military officials caution, however, that it is not lawful to strike an adversary’s infrastructure merely to pressure the foe to begin negotiations or to send political signals.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

Woods, who was also charged with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, submitted a written plea of not guilty via his lawyers on Tuesday.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

Being a child or caretaker, or holding power of attorney, does not make it ethical or lawful to transfer property into one’s own name.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Those with lawful permanent residency applications pending, and those who haven't filed any paperwork, are still considered "undocumented."

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

lawful

Example Sentences

Related Words